ANGEL BEASLEY
MERCHANDISING DIRECTOR FOR SPECIALTY HAIR, WALMART Angel was born in a small town in Louisiana but raised in the great city of North Little Rock, Arkansas. She moved to NWA in 1999 as a freshman at the University of Arkansas, where she danced on the Razorback Pom Squad and earned a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism. Shortly after school, she married her husband Jimmy Beasley Jr. and opened dance studios with a close friend and teammate. After leaving the dance studios, Angel and her husband spent four years in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and then moved back to Arkansas shortly after having their first child. They have been married 17 years and have three children: Jimmy Beasley III (9 years old), Germany Beasley (4 years old) and Yana Beasley (3 years old). Whenever she’s not managing a P&L at Walmart or chasing kids around, she moonlights as the co-founder of her family’s business Beasy and self-titled lifestyle blog, Angel Beasley.
Education: B.A. Broadcast Journalism, University of Arkansas M.B.A.- deferred Keller Graduate School of Management
What changes have you seen within your workplace in regard to empowering women? I’ve been in and out of Walmart since 2012, and I’ve seen a huge shift in the support and promotion of women. The parental leave policies have improved, flexibility in the workplace is common and I’ve seen more women in leadership positions.
What nonprofits are you involved with and why? I’ve worked with many nonprofits throughout my life, but right now I’m focused on my work with WE (empowering Women). It’s a group of dynamic leaders across CPG and health care companies coming together to empower women in life and their careers. It was born out of a need to bring a voice and synergies to women in male-driven environments and has bloomed into an organization that uplifts all.
Surprising fact about you: If you’ve only met the “work Angel,” you wouldn’t know that I was a legit dancer in my past life. I love busting out a double turn or a time step in the middle of a Walmart aisle. Now, don’t ask me to dance for real because I will pull a muscle, but my love for dance runs deep. Years ago, I had the honor of auditioning for Beyonce’s second world tour in NYC. I bombed the entire audition, but I danced in front of BEYONCE! Nothing more to say.
Thing you're most proud of: I’m most proud of the person I’m becoming: Wife, Friend, Mentor, Mom, Creator. The best compliment I’ve received lately was “you really are a blessing to others.” Professionally, I’m proud of the work we are doing to transform Walmart beauty. Also, super proud of the work my team and I have done to bring more presence and visibility to Black-Owned beauty brands to Walmart. The work we are doing goes beyond sales and is about building our community. I’m also extremely proud of the brands I’ve helped create and launch the past two years, from launching Packed Party hair accessories to the creation of a unique Gen Z hair care brand called NOU with Procter & Gamble.